American Toby Jug Museum 

Smuggler character jug produced by Ceramica E. Piola of Carpignano Sesia, Italy, circa 1980. In days of old, the smuggler was surrounded by an air of romance and mystery. He was an adventurer taking huge risks to import goods by cover of night in order to evade payment of duties and official restrictions. Smuggling has been flourishing since the time of the Greek city-states. During the eighteenth century even some parsons, magistrates and country gentlemen dabbled in smuggling or accepted smuggled goods. Smuggling was particularly rife in Britain during the Napoleonic wars when tobacco and spirits were the main commodities smuggled into the country. There were also grim tales of gangs of smugglers who inspired fear and dread among dwellers near the coasts. The Old Smuggler is the company's brand logo, and this jug is an advertising piece for Old Smuggler Scotch Whisky. Note the exceptional gilding on the jacket, hat and earring.